NSW First Nations Child Removal Class Action

CASL is funding a class action commenced in the Federal Court of Australia against the State of NSW (Department of Communities and Justice) (the Department) on behalf of First Nations families who have been subjected to unlawful racial discrimination in their dealings with the Department. 

The class action alleges that the Department has engaged in unlawful racial discrimination against First Nations peoples by way of the Department’s conduct in exercising their child protection functions, including the decision-making tools used in: 

• the investigation of parents or carers; and/or 
• the removal and placement of children away from their families, kin or community; and/or
• failures attached to reunification of children with their families. 

The class action is being conducted by Shine Lawyers, a leading national law firm with extensive experience in class actions.